Jak Crawford Replaces Alonso in Japanese GP FP1

At the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Aston Martin reserve driver Jak Crawford will replace Fernando Alonso for the first free practice session on Friday, marking the team's earliest fulfillment of Formula 1's rookie driver requirement this season.

The decision comes as the third round of the 2026 championship unfolds at the historic Suzuka circuit, a demanding track known for its high-speed corners and technical layout. Under F1 regulations, each team must provide two FP1 sessions to a rookie driver with fewer than two prior Grand Prix starts for each of its cars across the season, typically spread over four events. Aston Martin, based in Silverstone, is the first outfit to confirm such a session so early, with Crawford stepping in for Alonso's AMR26. The 20-year-old American, who finished runner-up in the 2025 Formula 2 Championship, has already completed two FP1 outings for the team last year in Mexico and Abu Dhabi. This will be his third appearance, building on over 3,000 kilometers of prior testing.

Crawford, from Charlotte, North Carolina, joined Aston Martin's driver development program after leaving Red Bull in 2024 and now serves as the team's third and reserve driver...